Wednesday, July 26, 2017

5 hidden hazards of summertime swimming

When refreshing water beckons, millions of people across the United
States jump right in. But there's always a possibility of contamination,
regardless of whether it's fresh or salt water, chlorinated pools or
the neighborhood splash pad.

You may never contract the following illnesses, but they do exist and experts say you should know about them.Cyanobacteria (toxic algae)

Also known as blue-green algae,
cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of
water (fresh, combined salt and fresh water and marine water), according
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Sometimes
the algae start to multiply quickly, forming toxic blooms in warm
waters that aren’t moving fast and are filled with nutrients, such as
fertilizer or septic overflows.
You may be able to see the blooms
that spread across the water’s surface and the CDC recommends you and
your pets stay away from water that is discolored or has a foamy or
scummy surface.
"Cyanobacteria tend to outcompete other algae when
water temperatures get above about 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees
Fahrenheit), and they outcompete most other organisms and persist for
long periods of time," Beverley Anderson-Abbs, a senior environmental
scientist for the California State Water Resources Control Board, said
in an email.RELATED:Drowning: What parents need to know before taking their child swimmingHow to avoid the potentially deadly grip of a rip current What does extreme heat do to the human body?Naegleria fowleri (brain-eating amoeba)

Naegleria is an amoeba
commonly found in the environment, in water and soil. Only one species
of Naegleria has been found to infect humans, Naegleria fowleri.
(Image/CDC)

It’s important to note that these
deadly infections are rare, but they do happen in the U.S. Between 1962
and 2016, the CDC reported 143 known Naegleria fowleri infections, with
only four survivors – a fatality rate of more than 97 percent.
The
amoeba, a single-celled organism, lives in warm freshwater, such as
lakes, rivers and hot springs. These organisms can travel up the nose to
the brain and spinal cord as people swim or dive. This can cause a
brain infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). CDC
researchers said people do not become infected from drinking
contaminated water.Naegleria fowleri
is thermophilic, or heat-loving. Most infections occur during July,
August and September when there is prolonged heat, higher water
temperatures and lower water levels.Vibriosis (flesh-eating bacteria)

Several cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been confirmed
this summer in Mobile County, Alabama. Those affected are recovering,
but health officials continue to warn the public about how to avoid
soft-tissue infections.Vibriosis infections
can occur when people eat raw or undercooked seafood – particularly
oysters – or when an open wound is exposed to warm seawater, according
to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Vibrio bacteria
naturally live in certain coastal waters, according to the CDC, and are
measured in higher concentrations between May and October.
“If you
have open wounds, cuts, abrasions and sores, stay out of [brackish and
warm salt water.] Persons with low immune systems, cancer, diabetes,
liver disease and other chronic conditions should avoid eating raw or
undercooked seafood, especially oysters,” Dr. Karen Landers, assistant
state health officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health, said
in a statement.Cercarial Dermatitis (swimmer’s itch parasites)

(Photo/Facebook User/Yvonne Mortensen)

This itchy rash occurs when you come into contact with water that’s infested with parasites.
According
to the American Academy of Dermatology, the parasites burrow into your
skin when the water starts to evaporate – not when you are in the water.
They cause tingling or burning spots, welts or blisters in the affected
areas.
Yvonne Mortensen of Shelley, Idaho, told AccuWeather about
her encounter with swimmer’s itch from a recreational swimming area.
She said after 20 minutes of swimming and wading, she started to feel an
itch on her shoulder. As time passed, she said the itching became more
intense, especially on her legs.
“It felt like being pricked with
needles all over my body,” Mortensen said in a Facebook message. “Just
constantly being stabbed with pins. My legs were the worst...The name
'swimmer's itch' does not convey the experience.”
She said oral and topical medication eventually calmed the rash but her skin was very sensitive for a week.Cryptosporidiosis (parasites)

(Fdamian/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

This parasitic infection is often
found in swimming pools and water playgrounds. Outbreaks occur when
swimmers swallow water contaminated with fecal matter.
“Cryptosporidium
is the leading cause of outbreaks from recreational water venues,”
Brittany Behm, spokesperson for the CDC, said in an email. “It can
survive for up to 10 days in properly chlorinated water, making it
extremely hard to kill.”
Crypto causes a gastrointestinal illness that lasts for a few weeks. The CDC's preliminary data for 2016
shows at least 32 outbreaks occurred in 13 states, compared to 13
outbreaks reported for 2013 and 16 outbreaks reported for 2014.
Behm
said the higher numbers could be due to an actual increase in the
number of outbreaks, or it could be related to better surveillance
systems and laboratory methods for diagnosis.